9.12.2025 at 18–19
10.12.2025 at 18–19
11.12.2025 at 15–16
12.12.2025 at 18–19
13.12.2025 at 15–16
14.12.2025 at 15–16

1st floor, Kiasma Theatre
Tickets: 25 / 15 €
Language: English

How did humankind come to a point where the answer to catastrophes, global warming and the rise of fascism seems to be even more cynical exploitation and a longing for security that has us revere a (fictitious) glorious past?

Reality Bang, Oblivia’s new music theatre performance, is the next part in their Turn Turtle Turn series on the Anthropocene, the first part of which premiered at the Munich Biennale in 2024. In Reality Bang, Oblivia employs music, text and movement to illuminate the “big bang of reality” and the present day reality we are currently facing (or, perhaps, sometimes do not dare to face) worldwide and in our own societies. Thrown into the Reality Bang, what we have is the present moment, no past or future – no time for nostalgia, feelings of loss, not even catastrophe euphoria.

We do not know what the future will look like. We do not know how things will turn out nor when the tsunami of catastrophes will overwhelm us. All we know is to live day by day in the here and now, this very moment – and we will live and see.

Reality Bang continues Oblivia’s experimental explorations in the field of contemporary music theatre, again transposing the great questions of being human to the stage, applied with a light touch and fine wit.

The performance’s world premiere is on 20 June in Austria, at ARGEkultur Salzburg & Sommerzene festival.

Artist talk after the performance on Fri 12 December.

In connection with some performances, introductions related to the work are held in Kiasma’s Seminar Room before the show. Admission to the introductions is free!

Oblivia 25th anniversary

Oblivia has been creating performances out of movement, dance, language, sound, light and gesture for 25 years. Known for their minimalist approach to the great subject matters which define humanity, Oblivia’s works are playful yet poignant, creating cosmoses out of fragments and worlds out of words. Oblivia’s Entertainment Island 1 & 2 were premiered at Kiasma Theatre in early 2000’s. Read more from Oblivia’s website

Credits

Performers: Timo Fredriksson, Anna-Maija Terävä, Annika Tudeer, Juha Valkeapää, Nagisa Shibata (percussions), Yiran Zhao (electronic live music)
Concept, direction, dramaturgy, texts: Oblivia
Composer: Yiran Zhao
Light design, projections: Meri Ekola
Costume design: Tua Helve
Graphic design: Jenni Salminen (Röd)
Communications: Essi Brunberg & Nassrah-Alexia Denif
Production manager: Jenny Nordlund
Co-producer: ARGEkultur Salzburg
Supported by: Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland, City of Helsinki, Konstsamfundet, Stiftelsen Tre Smeder
Residency: Musiktheatertage Wien